The Punjab government, led by Bhagwant Mann, has decided to increase electricity rates for both domestic and commercial consumers just two days after the announcement of the Jalandhar Lok Sabha by-poll results. Previously, Golden Temple and Durgiana Temple paid Rs 6.11 per unit for electricity consumed beyond 2000 units. However, this rate has been revised to Rs 6.41 per unit. Punjab’s Chief Minister took to Twitter to assure the public that the government will bear the additional cost and it will not burden the common people.
For domestic consumers, who currently receive 300 units of free electricity each month, there will be an additional charge of Rs 15 per kilowatt in fixed charges. The per-unit rate has also increased by 25 paise to 70 paise.
Commercial customers, on the other hand, will experience an increase in both fixed charges, ranging from Rs 25 to Rs 30, and per-unit tariff, with an increase of 28 to 41 paise. Agricultural consumers, although electricity is provided free of charge, will face a 90-paise increase per unit. This tariff hike will result in a higher subsidy burden for both agricultural and domestic consumers, which will be borne by the state government.
The new tariff order will come into effect starting from Tuesday. The implementation was delayed this year due to the model code of conduct in place for the Jalandhar by-poll. Normally, the new tariff order is enforced from April 1.